All signs and sign structures requiring permits shall be maintained in a safe and attractive condition. Signs and their supporting structures shall be repaired and painted as often as necessary to prevent rusting, peeling paint and undue fading. Signs which no longer serve the purpose for which they were intended, or which have been abandoned or are not maintained in accordance with this chapter and other applicable regulations of the City shall be removed by the last permit holder or by the City at the expense of such permit holder or property owner.
(a) Every sign except window and door, or other advertising structure hereafter erected shall be a permanent identification tag located in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not less than one inch in height, the date of erection, the permit number and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection therewith.
(b) Whenever the removal or maintenance of any permanent sign has been ordered by the Zoning Administrator, the person, firm or corporation who erected such sign or on whose premises such sign or display structure has been erected, affixed or attached shall remove or maintain the sign within forty-eight hours after receiving such notice. In the event of noncompliance, the Administrator may remove or cause to be removed or maintained such sign at the expense of the person, firm or corporation who erected such sign, or on whose premises it was erected, affixed or attached; each such person, firm or corporation shall be individually and separately liable for the expenses incurred in the removal of such sign. Temporary signs in residential districts shall be removed within twenty-four hours after removal order is received from the Zoning Administrator.
(c) Removal of a sign shall include the sign, enclosing frame, all sign supporting members and base, unless the enclosing frame and supporting members are a structural part of the building.
(Ord. 179-02. Passed 1-2-03.)